ORLANDO (Florida) – Nelly Korda woke early Friday morning to see her brother Sebastian play No. 7 Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open. He won in three sets while she was at player dining.
Mardy Fish was Sebastian’s Davis Cup Captain and was there to see him play at 5 a.m.
Fish said, “He’s great and I root for his like crazy.” Fish leads the celebrity division of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. He won the event after scoring a 5-under 67 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. Annika Sorenstam, Annika’s home-course favourite, was nine points behind Fish in the Stableford format.
Sebastian, who advanced to the fourth round of the competition, stated to the Down Under crowd that he is the worst athlete in his family.
Nelly, a eight-time LPGA winner, objected.
She said, “It’s total BS.” He’s the best. He’s truly the best. His hand-eye coordination and timing are amazing. His swing is amazing. It’s crazy. He is a lefty. He is a natural righty but plays lefty golf. He was a hockey lefty. He grew up playing hockey. He was also quite good at it. He can skate really well, plays golf beautifully, and plays tennis beautifully.
“He’s full o’ s**t. Please excuse my French.”
Sebastian Korda, a US tennis player celebrates his victory over Daniil Medvedev in their men’s singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. It took place on the fifth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament. This was on January 21, 2023. (Photo by Paul Crock/AFP via Getty Images
Petr Korda won 1998 the Australian Open, and Nelly’s big sis Jessica made the 2012 Women’s Australian Open her debut LPGA title. Mom Regina, an Olympian, was strong in her own game before she was injured.
Fish said that Sebastian’s father was very strict about their schedule. “So I understood and respected that.”
Nelly shot a 3-under-69 round in the TOC’s second round and trailed Brooke Henderson by four strokes going into the weekend. Nelly is a major champion, Olympic gold medalist, and current world No. 2. won the 2021 Gainbridge LPGA Event here at Lake Nona one week after Jessica won the 2021 TOC. Jessica, who is a six-time LPGA winner, was unable to compete last season due to a back injury. She will resume her 2023 campaign in Thailand next month.
Nelly is astonished at Sebastian’s ability to swing the golf ball.
She said, “It’s funny. He swings it lefty which I find really charming.” He doesn’t move his hands, he swings it righty while still pureing it. Yeah, it’s just, he’s special. He is unique.”
